UH-Hilo suspends two programs

The University of Hawaii-Hilo will suspend its men's tennis and women's golf programs starting with the 2009-10 season, acting athletic director Dr. Luoluo Hong announced yesterday.

Hong cited the need to bring the department into Title IX compliance and rising travel costs among the factors in the decision. Hong said the programs could be revived in the future "should sufficent new revenue streams come to the athletic department."

The programs will have minimal operating budgets for their 2008-09 seasons and scholarships will be honored.

Texans release Grice-Mullins

Ryan Grice-Mullins was released yesterday by the Houston Texans.

Grice-Mullins, an undrafted rookie free agent from Hawaii, barely got on the field for workouts because of a leg injury.

The 5-10, 187-pound All-WAC performer left UH a season early after piling up a team-high 1,372 yards on 106 receptions with 12 touchdowns last year. Grice-Mullins was among the fastest receivers available in the draft this year with a 4.36 pro timing day 40, but wasn't selected.

Brewer joins UH soccer staff

Gina Brewer has been hired as an assistant coach with the University of Hawaii soccer team.

Brewer previously coached at Idaho, where she served as interim head coach for a period, and Utah State. She will assist UH head coach Pinsoom Tenzing with the Rainbow Wahine program. She played at Washington from 1998-2001, helping the Huskies to three NCAA tournament appearances.

Ah Mow-Santos leads U.S. to win

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. » With former Hawaii standout Robyn Ah Mow-Santos starting at setter, the U.S. women's volleyball team defeated top-ranked Brazil 25-21, 19-25, 29-27, 17-25, 15-11 last night in the second of three exhibition matches in preparation for the Olympics.

The United States, ranked fourth in the world, was led by Ogonna Nnamani with 19 points, 16 kills and three blocks in front of a sellout crowd of 1,200 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

» Former UH player Clay Stanley had four kills and the U.S. men's volleyball team defeated Finland 25-18, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20 in its opening match of the FIVB World League in Espoo, Finland. Former Warrior Delano Thomas also saw action for the U.S.